Why the restaurant industry's relationship with US government is still #Complicated

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Considering President Donald Trump's passion for business, many were hoping the relationship between the restaurant industry and the government would be less…

Gutting the 'gut feelings' from hiring: 2 restaurant companies' $40M story

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Who knew technology could help restaurateurs get the right human touch tableside? Two large restaurant companies tell their highly profitable story.

A&W's post-Yum success proves breaking up isn't hard to do

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Sometimes, brands like people do better solo than as a member of even the nicest restaurant family. Such has been the case for a brand that is actually the…

Food truck growth goes full throttle: Part 2 - costs and challenges

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Businesses and individuals driven by a passion for serving all types of food are recognizing the opportunity to launch a food truck. While these entrepreneurs…

Taco Bell puts a brake on restaurant industry's revolving door

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Taco Bell's 4-year-old Start with Us, Stay with Us initiative required a slew of cultural changes for the brand, but is now starting to pay off with big…

World's oldest QSR rebrands, expands in US

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The time may never be more ripe for 118-year-old Yoshinoya to hit a growth spurt in the U.S. The brand's U.S. CEO offers insight into what's coming as the…

The gluten-free opportunity: New rewards await

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Skyrocketing demand for gluten-free choices on restaurant menus is spawning creative solutions from restaurateurs, food service vendors and health watchdog…

IoT, customer-facing robots and VR among topics to be discussed at 2017 ICX Summit

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

The annual conference, which draws hundreds of customer experience leaders and innovators, is June 5-7 in Dallas and features a range of interesting sessions…

Sleep talkers beware: Alexa is listening for your restaurant reorders

Amazon Prime members can now voice-order meals through Amazon Restaurants on Alexa-enabled devices,

'If in doubt, leave it out': The lessons in Cinnabon's Carrie Fisher tweet

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Cinnabon's poorly received social media post about Carrie Fisher, upon her death this week, has restaurant leaders talking about how best to prevent such…

5 findings inside diners' minds make great guides for 2017

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

NPD Group recently outlined its top five predictions about the American diner's state of mind as it relates to the dinner plate. Taken collectively, these five…

Cinnabon unleashes wrath of internet over Fisher tweet

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Cinnabon is struggling today with a problem that haunts just about every restaurateur in the digital age after the company's social media managers posted what…

A 'post mortem': Looking back at 2016's hard-learned lessons

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Experts weigh in on the eight lessons they learned in 2016 about the fine art of running a restaurant.

How is color coloring customer perceptions?

Color is critical to customer experience since it has a notable and predictable impact on their moods and emotions.

Johnny Rockets tests self-order kiosks in moving to a QSR format

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-order kiosks play an important role in moving to more of a quick-serve format for Johnny Rockets as the 30-year-old iconic brand seeks to refresh itself.

Wasabi to employees: We like you, we really like you

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Some of the world's leading brands make their employees their first and most important customer. The UK-based foodservice brand,Wasabi, is making it a priority…

A&W raises frothy mug to post-Yum Brands success

Despite the slackening of sales across parts of the broader restaurant industry, A&W is heading into 2017 nearly as a centenarian, yet thriving brand.

Kiosks killing jobs? Current events beg the question, but the facts say otherwise

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Automatic Merchandiser

Several restaurant chains are using kiosks and other technology that allow orders to be placed more rapidly and efficiently. Kiosks are fostering fears about…

Why Moe's Southwest Grill, A&W focusing on digital marketing

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Digital media is always changing, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.

A chicken chain 'phoenix' rises from ashes with help of a 'patient' man and a whole American Indian nation

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

This week, Beautiful Brands International signed an agreement with the Muscogee Creek Nation's Muscogee Nation Business Enterprise division to open as many as…